Purplish
Colorado Public Radio
Purplish is a podcast about politics and policy and how they shape Coloradans’ lives, hosted by Colorado Public Radio’s public affairs reporter Bente Birkeland and reporters from the Colorado Capitol News Alliance. They break down the latest developments at the statehouse, in Congress and in local communities, to find the bigger picture behind the political headlines.Purplish is produced by CPR News with support from the Colorado Capitol News Alliance, a collaboration between KUNC News, Colorado Public Radio, Rocky Mountain PBS, and The Colorado Sun, and shared with Rocky Mountain Community Radio and other news organizations across the state. Funding for the Alliance is provided in part by the Corporation for Public Broadcasting.
Episodes
Mentioned books
Mar 24, 2022 • 28min
The past, and future, of abortion in Colorado
Colorado has been a landmark state for both sides of the abortion debate: home to one of the earliest laws to liberalize access to the procedure, as well as the birthplace of the personhood movement. Now, with Roe v Wade in doubt at the federal level, state lawmakers are writing a new chapter Colorado's convoluted history on the issue.
Mar 11, 2022 • 40min
Crime is rising in Colorado – is justice reform to blame?
For more than a decade, Colorado lawmakers have pursued a range of criminal justice reforms.
Feb 25, 2022 • 34min
Lawmakers’ brewing labor battle
Some legislative leaders want to give all local public worker unions the power to collectively bargain, but they're up against a lot of powerful opponents.
Feb 10, 2022 • 24min
Serving in the statehouse while running for Congress
Seven percent of the state legislature is currently running for Congress — that’s the largest number in recent years and it speaks to the many ways in which this is […]
Jan 27, 2022 • 21min
The housing crisis comes home to the Capitol
With home values and rents rising at a dizzying rate, state lawmakers are rushing to try to address Colorado's housing crisis. They do have one ace up their sleeve: a whole lot of federal money.
Jan 17, 2022 • 16min
Back to work at the Capitol
The legislature has gaveled in its session. The governor has laid out his agenda. The cost of living and rising crime are high on the list of priorities on both sides of the aisle. What lies ahead for this year's policymaking?
Jan 6, 2022 • 21min
Remembering the January 6th Capitol Riot
When rioters broke into the U.S. Capitol a year ago, most members of the Colorado delegation were in the House and Senate chambers. A year later, the memories still haunt them.
Dec 9, 2021 • 17min
What’s ahead when the legislature returns?
It's beginning to look at lot like politics, at least for our public affairs team; everywhere they go they seem to be hearing about what's ahead at the legislature...
Nov 5, 2021 • 24min
Hey, did you hear there was an election?
And it gave us a lot to talk about.
Sep 30, 2021 • 17min
Colorado Has A Map — If The Court Approves
With minutes left on the clock, the congressional redistricting commission approved a new map. We give you the lowdown on what it looks like, what it means, and how commissioners got there.
